When you think of fall manicures, you likely imagine something dark and moody. A chocolate brown or a vampy black cherry are usually the go-tos. But butter yellow? That practically screams spring!
Not according to Rihanna. Just last night, the singer and pop-culture icon sported a pastel, butter-yellow mani for the Fenty Hair launch at Selfridges in London (with a pale-yellow teddy coat to match!), proving that this trending color has actually become a year-round staple. Keep scrolling—we grabbed all the details from her manicurist below.
We can thank celebrity nail artist Jenny Longworth for the bright nail debut. Longworth (who also works with Harry Styles, FYI) dubbed the look "melted butter," since she added a chrome topper for some subtle sparkle (you know, just like a glistening pot of heated butter). She used The GelBottle Inc's Gel Polish in the shade Queen Bee and then topped it with the brand's Iced Chrome Pigment.
Butter-yellow nails are nothing new (the color has been trending among the fashion set since last spring), but "melted butter" puts a fresh spin on the sophisticated mani. It's bright yet muted, which makes it relatively easy to pull off year-round (as opposed to a coral "Palm Beach grandma" lacquer). Butter yellow might not be the most obvious choice for a fall manicure, but it can certainly add some life to an autumnal outfit.
Not to mention that it pairs well with any palette. Wearing all gray? A pale-yellow mani can brighten up the ensemble. Opting for browns and hunter greens? Butter yellow complements those earth tones quite well. Loving burgundy outfits as of late? Yellow digits provide a gorgeous contrast.
As you can probably guess, Rihanna's manicure has made me rethink everything I knew about fall nail trends. Catch me with butter-yellow tips instead of my usual moody plum! After all, when Rih gives a beauty trend her stamp of approval, I'd bet all my money it will become the next big thing.
Shop the Trend
The exact shade Longworth used on Rihanna!
She then layered on the brand's chrome powder.
Finally, she layered on this topcoat "for the ultimate finish."
Here's another butter-yellow shade that looks oh-so-creamy.
This one's even milkier, so much so that it almost reads winter white.
How can you not cop a polish named Bunny Slope?!
This option leans a bit brighter than the typical pale butter yellow. Still, it's so on-trend.
Here's another popular (and affordable) chrome powder. Act fast—it's almost sold out!
Butter yellow Chanel nail polish. Need I say more?
For melted butter nails in a pinch, you can't go wrong with these press-ons.
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Forget Red—Experts Say These 10 Chic Nail Trends Are Taking Over This WinterCelebrity manicurists spotlight moody hues and textured designs.
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This Has Been OPI's Best-Selling Fall Nail Color for Decades—TikTok Says It's Especially Relevant in 2025Search volume has grown 83% month over month.
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Heads-Up: Every Stylish New Yorker Is Already Wearing This Rich-Looking Manicure TrendNot burgundy, not black.
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Um, Dua Lipa and Augustinus Bader Just Dropped a New Skincare Line—Every Product Is Destined to Sell OutIt's her secret for dewy skin "from morning to midnight."
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It's Official: Dua Lipa's Red Halo Nails Are the Coolest Way to Wear a Fall-to-Winter ManicureIt's simple and chic.
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My Milky-Pink Nail Polish Is So Perfect, People Assume It's a Custom Combo—Here's the RevealHint: It was seen at Sandy Liang and the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show.
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8 French Tip Nail Designs That Are Autumn-Coded, Expensive-Looking, and So Easy to CopyPlus, how to create them.
